West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce says his team's performance during their 3-0 defeat to Sunderland was "difficult to accept".

The loss came a week after the Hammers almost knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, with the Premier League leaders salvaging a 2-2 draw late on.

Speaking after the match at the Stadium of Light, Allardyce said the comparison of his side's performance over the two games was "staggering". He said: "The level of difference of performance between that game and this is just staggering.

"All last week we were absolutely brilliant in all departments. This week we were poor in all departments. Hence we've got beat comprehensively by a team that deserved to beat us."